REPORT OF THE COUNCIL. 
341 
More matured consideration and the experience of the last year 
have satisfied your Council that the system of education and 
examination sanctioned by them is one that is working and will 
eventually work well for the profession, and they beg to express 
their entire approbation of, and to return their thanks to, the mem- 
bers of the Board of Examiners, both of the London and Edinburgh 
divisions, for their valuable services in this matter ; as also to the 
Professors for their assistance therein; and to acknowledge the 
courteous and deferential behaviour of those ^ho have submitted 
themselves for examination. Your Council regret having lost the 
valuable services of E. Stanley, Esq., the late Chairman of the 
Board: his various other professional avocations occupying so 
fully his time having induced him to tender his resignation ; for- 
tunately, however, the vacancy has been most ably filled by the 
election of Dr. George Babington : the name alone — so endeared to 
every one connected with veterinary science — guarantees how 
well the important and onerous duties connected with it will be 
sustained. 
It is a source of much regret to your Council, that they cannot, 
as yet, announce the existence of that perfect unanimity and har- 
mony that are so essential for the well-being and advancement of 
veterinary science. During the past year attempts have been 
made by gentlemen connected with the veterinary schools and 
agricultural societies, to alter some of the provisions of the Charter, 
which your Council deemed inconsistent with the integrity of that 
document, as well as contrary to the interest of the profession. 
Gentlemen, the members of your Council have no party spirit 
to misguide them — no personal feeling to prejudice them — no in- 
terest whatever either in opposing or acceding to the wishes of 
either of your recognised schools : they have the welfare of their 
profession at heart, its advancement and improvement in view, 
and the proficiency and honour of its members in constant remem- 
brance. Should they shrink from preserving these inestimable 
objects, they would lower themselves in their own estimation as 
well as in yours : should they in standing by them, and as far as 
possible acting up to them, conduce to their being ultimately car- 
ried out, they will have the reward of their own feelings, and, they 
doubt not, of your cordial co-operation and approbation. 
But not only has the opposition raised been a source of great 
regret to your Council, but it has been and still is operating most 
detrimentally to the interest of every member of the profession ; for 
one great object in view in obtaining the Royal Charter of Incor- 
poration was, its being an essential, and indeed an indispensable, 
preliminary to the obtaining an Act of Parliament to remove the 
liabilities of being called on to serve certain parochial and other 
VOL. XIX. 3 A 
